Open fires and chimney fans

[watertight]

Guys,

I recently opened up my fireplace removing a gas fire and replacing it with a fire basket.

In the process I got my local chimney sweep out who advised me that my fireplace was far to 'open' and that smoke would fill the room instead of going up the chimney. The opening to the fireplace is about 120cm2

After lighting my fire for the first time last night I discovered he was right. The smoke in my living room was qute impressive. Following his advice I had lifted my basket in stilts (2 bricks under each leg) and also lowered the height of the fireplace by screwing a length of ply (as a temporary measure) over the top of the fireplace.

While this improved matters I still had far too much smoke in the room and the fire didn't get as hot as I expected it should.

I should mention that I have a gas cowl on at the moment, this is due to be changed but I didn't want to go for solid fuel cowl or an aspirotor if this wasn't gonna do the full job.

After research I think that a chimney fan may be the answer. I'd value your opinions, the fire can't be used till I sort the problem out.

Yours,

Mark

 

[bron]

Good luck on this. My fireplace is currently covered with an air vent in it's place. I'm really interested in getting a real fire fitted back in there just to heat that single room -- I'll be watching this with interest

 

[bernardgreen]

Do a google on "Count Rumford" "fire place"

Rumford designed very efficient fire places and devised a set of rules for dimensions for getting the best results with minimum smoke into the room.

He wasn't a count, his parents had a weird choice of christian names.

 

[memor maplin]

Real fires look nice but not very efficient, especially if your going to fit a fan. Smoke & HEAT straight up the chimney !

Memor

 

[jj4091]

Chimney liner & wood burning stove, or OH chimney pot